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VICTORIA are keen to sign David Warner if he decides to leave NSW, Bushrangers coach Greg Shipperd said.

Warner revealed yesterday he would contemplate moving interstate if he could not be guaranteed an opportunity to play first-class cricket for the Blues and Shipperd - who will coach Warner in the Indian Premier League with the Delhi Daredevils - said his state and the other four would certainly be interested in the 22-year-old.

"If he is out and about in the marketplace, I would think there would be five states looking at him and I suspect we would be one of them," the coach said.

Shipperd said Warner's appeal would have to be weighed against the development of the Bushrangers' existing young players. There is already intense competition for batting spots, with Lloyd Mash scoring a double century in a second XI game this week and Victoria recently choosing seven batsmen to accommodate the in-form Rob Quiney.

Warner is frustrated at having been overlooked for four-day cricket by NSW selectors and is desperate for a chance, with the ultimate goal of playing Tests for Australia. Warner's manager, Peter Lovitt, plans to meet Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert next week to discuss the state's pathway for Warner into the Sheffield Shield team. Gilbert believes Warner is on the periphery of selection but said he must prove himself in the NSW Second XI because there are several worthy contenders for the No.6 batting spot he hopes to secure. While Warner is contracted until the end of next season, Gilbert also indicated the batsman could be granted an early release of he was desperate to leave. Having made his name with a mesmerisingly aggressive game, Warner is eager to show he can cut it in the longer format.

Warner, who signed with Delhi for about $300,000 a year, remains a chance of making his one-day international debut tomorrow night at the MCG.

Meanwhile, Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke's injured thumb will be assessed after training today, with Warner remaining on standby with the team in Melbourne. Clarke saw a specialist yesterday to assess a ligament sprain in his right thumb, but a decision on his availability for the one-dayer against South Africa will be made after he trains this morning.

The 27-year-old initially hurt his thumb in the first Test against South Africa in Perth but played out the series after scans cleared him of any fracture. He rejoined the team yesterday after missing both Twenty20 victories against South Africa.

If he is ruled out, Warner will be favoured to line up against the Proteas five days after he memorably burst on the international stage in Sunday's Twenty20 win.

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